Second Life as the Technological Extension of the Imagination

Philosophers of technology have often pointed out that most technologies can be understood, to some degree, as extensions of the person. Obvious examples include transportation as an extension of the feet or legs, weapons as an extension of the fists or arms, radio and television as an extension of the ears and eyes.

Less obvious examples would include medical technology as an extension of the immune system or computer technology as an extension of the mind. Just how well each of these claims actually fits can be debated. However, one can certainly see that this perspective does give us a quick handle on understanding a technology. So, the question is, with a new technology, what human capability does it extend.

Some technologies actually cover a wide range of human capabilities. The computer, for example, can be seen in applications that extend almost every human capacity that there is. However, understanding the computer as an extension of the mind is the most important and puts all of the others into perspective.

In the case of Second Life, we can ask - what human capacity does it extend? Like the computer, Second Life extends a wide variety of human capacities. However, like the computer, there is one central capacity - the human capacity for imagination. Second Life is a technological extension of the imagination. While there are many others things that Second Life can do this is the biggie. This is the home run out of the park.

So, as I turn to more positive commentary, I am going to focus on Second Life as an extension of the imagination. I will address what is imagination, why is it important, how does Second Life extend the imagination, and what does this mean for potential future uses for this technology.